Wisconsin Statutes
Wis. Stat. § 941.31 (2026)
Possession of explosives
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941.31(1)(1) Whoever makes, buys, transports, possesses, or transfers any explosive compound or offers to do the same, either with intent to use such explosive to commit a crime or knowing that another intends to use it to commit a crime, is guilty of a Class F felony.
941.31(2)(a)(a) In this subsection, “improvised explosive device” means a destructive explosive device capable of causing bodily harm, great bodily harm, death or property damage; with some type of explosive material and a means of detonating the explosive material, directly, remotely, or with a timer either present or readily capable of being inserted or attached; which may include a pipe or similar casing, with the ends of the pipe or casing capped, plugged or crimped, and a fuse or similar object sticking out of the pipe or casing; and made by a person not engaged in the legitimate manufacture or legitimate use of explosives, or otherwise authorized by law to do so. “Improvised explosive device” does not include ammunition for any rifle, pistol or shotgun.
941.31(2)(b)(b) Whoever makes, buys, sells, transports, possesses, uses or transfers any improvised explosive device, or possesses materials or components with intent to assemble any improvised explosive device, is guilty of a Class H felony.
941.31(2)(c)(c) This subsection does not apply to the transportation, possession, use, or transfer of any improvised explosive device by any armed forces or national guard personnel or to any peace officer in the line of duty or as part of a duty-related function or exercise. The restriction on transportation in this subsection does not apply to common carriers. Notwithstanding s. 939.22 (22), this paragraph does not apply to a commission warden.
941.31 AnnotationSub. (1) is not unconstitutionally vague. An explosive is any chemical compound, mixture, or device, the primary purpose of which is to function by explosion. An explosion is a substantially instantaneous release of both gas and heat. State v. Brulport, 202 Wis. 2d 505, 551 N.W.2d 824 (Ct. App. 1996), 95-1687.
941.31 AnnotationThe court applied a dictionary definition of explosive material as “a substance that on ignition by heat, impact, friction, or detonation undergoes very rapid decomposition (as combustion) with the production of heat and the formation of more stable products (as gases) which exert tremendous pressure as they expand at the high temperature produced” in finding methyl ethyl ketone, commonly known as acetone, is an explosive material under sub. (2) (a). State v. Strong, 2011 WI App 43, 332 Wis. 2d 554, 796 N.W.2d 438, 10-1798.
941.31 AnnotationA device qualifies as an improvised explosive under sub. (2) (a) even if it lacks a functioning detonator as long as a means of detonation can be readily inserted or attached. The defendant’s devices met this requirement because the detonators could have been made operable with the insertion of two readily available parts. State v. Strong, 2011 WI App 43, 332 Wis. 2d 554, 796 N.W.2d 438, 10-1798.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 4
cases, 1996–2015 · leading case: State v. Brulport, 551 N.W.2d 824 (Wis. Ct. App. 1996).
State v. Brulport, 551 N.W.2d 824 (Wis. Ct. App. 1996). “4 Section 941.31, Stats., uses the term "explosive compound" rather than just "explosive.”
State v. Paterson, 583 N.W.2d 190 (Wis. Ct. App. 1998). “; and to three counts of possessing an improvised explosive *532 device contrary to § 941.31(2)(b), Stats. The remaining charges were dismissed.”
United States v. Bodie Witzlib, 796 F.3d 799 (7th Cir. 2015). “” Wis. Stat. § 941.31 (2)(a)-(b).) Illegal manufacture of M-80s is at once common and highly dangerous because of the explosive potential of the pyrotechnic flash powder that is their principal ingredient.”
State v. Strong, 2011 WI App 43, 796 N.W.2d 438. “3 This argument *562 requires us to interpret Wis. Stat. § 941.31 (2), the statute under which Strong was charged.”
Wis. Stat. § 941.31(1): 1 case
State v. Brulport, 551 N.W.2d 824 (Wis. Ct. App. 1996). “4 Section 941.31, Stats., uses the term "explosive compound" rather than just "explosive.”
Wis. Stat. § 941.31(2): 1 case
State v. Strong, 2011 WI App 43, 796 N.W.2d 438. “3 This argument *562 requires us to interpret Wis. Stat. § 941.31 (2), the statute under which Strong was charged.”
Wis. Stat. § 941.31(2)(b): 2 cases
State v. Paterson, 583 N.W.2d 190 (Wis. Ct. App. 1998). “; and to three counts of possessing an improvised explosive *532 device contrary to § 941.31(2)(b), Stats. The remaining charges were dismissed.”
State v. Strong, 2011 WI App 43, 796 N.W.2d 438. “3 This argument *562 requires us to interpret Wis. Stat. § 941.31 (2), the statute under which Strong was charged.”
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